It’s funny to me that The Big Bang Theory answered this question so succinctly already. If you want more women in the maths and sciences, give access to women who are in the math and science fields. When I was young I would have loved to see and hear from a female scientist.

I grew up doing science experiments with my dad. For fun. I participated in camps, science fairs and modules. I loved it. It turns out that my brain doesn’t work the way it needs to in order to be a professional in that arena but it still brings me great joy to see what science brings to the table.

Unfortunately, the only woman I ever saw participating in a science field was a tv character on Stargate SG-1. I will always be thankful for her perpetual awesomeness and for my father showing me how cool science could be but I can’t help but wonder what I would have done if I’d had someone other than a fictional character to aspire to. We need more women in science and the best way to do that is to elevate the women who are actually scientists.